I’ve had companies give me 90+ discount (rebate, actually), and think they’re acting within the TOS.
There are lots of reviews on Amazon that state that they were given the product for free or at a discount for review. AFAIK, those don’t get deleted. So, as long as the seller/manufacturer is discounting or giving me the product (specifically before I write the review), not actually paying me for the review, I don’t feel like I’m violating the TOS. And I never shy away from negatives on the review, regardless of how much I paid.
I’ve had offers as the OP describes. It always felt a little unethical to me, and I didn’t do them.
At the very least, I think the reviewer should make it clear in the review that he got the light for free. But that would probably violate terms-of-service. So, yeah, it just somehow feels unethical. It’s probably common, though.
I would not call it a scam if you are wondering if you will really get your money refunded. Most likely you will have to give a very good opiion of the light though.
However, this sort of thing is unethical. They are paying you to provide a favorable review. That gives them better placement in Amazon’s results when someone searches there for a flashlight, or whatever.
I asked how deep I’d need to dive, and for how long, to verify the dive light’s claim.
Let’s see what they say.
Oh, and I asked where they wanted a review to appear.
Maybe the person is reading this thread, time will tell.
ie, they might say ’ if you do not dive, then say that, but you can still review functions, quality, ui, price, reputation, waterproofness in a bathtub, etc ’
I feel the average Amazon flashlight customer could actually benefit from a BLF member review. It could help them separate the crap from the garbage. As long as the company doesn’t say it must be a 5 star.
From a “safety”(?) standpoint, there’s near-zero risk doing a review on Amazon. They screw you on the rebate, you return the item, get back your bux, and can then be free to trash the product as much as you want even out of spite. So it’d be stoopit of them to not give you that rebate or whatever.
Best, though, is to make sure that it’s something that you’d want to keep for yourself (or at least give as a gift). If it’s something you don’t want, and would likely just throw it out, you’re not doing anyone any favors by reviewing it. I got a few queries about reviewing items I had no interest in, and politely declined.
More important, though, is to try to ascertain if it’s good enough for you to be honest in your review. If it’s a “10000lm zoom AA tactical light” that looks like a mutant SK68, there’s no way you can give an honest review, let alone 5 stars. 100lm, maybe if you’re lucky, but… How can you not trash it in a review?
So assuming it looks nice, fits the description, seems honestly advertised, and is something you think you could honestly review, why not? (Repetitive word in there is “honestly”, so if there’s anything that seems deceitful, just pass, and don’t wrestle with your conscience. It ain’t worth the grief.)
One thing I’ve done in the past is to stress, “Okay, but I’ll do an honest review, is that okay?”. If you get the “No, we want 5-star!” demand, just pass. Say thanks-but-no-thanks, and don’t respond any more. Those are typically the 10000lm zoomie products, garbage, so don’t even bother.
Curious which is “brand S” everyone’s going on about, though. Ofirn? Unwayman? Treamlight? I feel so left out…